FIRST JOURNEYS - 80 GINS AROUND THE WORLD - PIN 23 OF 80
DICTADOR COLOMBIAN AGED GIN - Cartagena, Colombia
AROUND THE WORLD, ONE BOTTLE AT A TIME,
PHILEAS FOGG WOULD SURELY APPROVE
If you are looking to experiment with aged gins, this is another one I would recommend. Dictador Colombian Aged Gin is quite different from many of the barrel-aged gins I have tried, with a much stronger connection to its Caribbean rum heritage.
It is very citrus-forward, so the vanilla and oak notes often associated with aged spirits are more subtle. The rum barrels seem to bring a gentle sweetness and a little warmth, balanced by fresh lime and tropical citrus notes. It is an easy-drinking aged gin that works beautifully served over ice, but also makes a very different G&T.
The gin starts with a sugar cane-based spirit and is aged for 35 weeks in oak barrels previously used to mature Dictador rum. The botanicals include limón mandarino, a Colombian citrus fruit which brings an exotic sweetness balanced with fresh acidity. As for juniper? It is certainly not the star of the show here, but I think that is exactly the point.
We often expect gin to taste a certain way, especially when we are used to traditional London Dry styles, but one of the reasons I love exploring international gins is discovering how different cultures interpret the spirit. This is very much a Colombian expression, influenced by local ingredients, rum-making traditions and regional tastes.
The story behind the name Dictador takes us back to the 18th century and Severo Arango y Ferro, a Spanish colonial official who became known as El Dictador because of his strict approach to improving tax collection. During his time in Colombia, he developed a passion for rum and became a successful trader.
Over a century later, in 1913, Don Julio Arango y Parra established Destilería Colombiana, which would eventually become the home of Dictador.
Now run by the third generation of the family, the company has built its reputation around premium Colombian rum before branching into gin.
The move into gin was inspired by former Dictador president Dario Parra, who developed an appreciation for the spirit during his travels, particularly in the UK. The result is a gin that combines Colombian ingredients with the expertise of a rum house.
Colombia is one of the world's important sugar cane-growing countries, and Dictador benefits from its home in Cartagena, with its Caribbean climate and centuries-old connection to trade and spirits. The company also uses sugar cane honey rather than molasses in its rum production, creating a distinctive style that has become part of the Dictador identity.
Cartagena itself is a perfect backdrop for this gin. The beautifully preserved walled city and fortress were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, with colourful colonial buildings, cobbled streets and hidden courtyards now filled with restaurants and bars.
During the Spanish colonial period, Cartagena was one of the most important ports in the Americas, playing a key role in the movement of goods throughout the empire. Today, it remains one of Colombia's most visited destinations, combining history, culture and Caribbean charm.
So if rum and gin aren't your thing, perhaps explore another Colombian export instead. Coffee is always a good option—and wherever you go in Colombia, whenever you arrive, you may just find yourself humming a little
Shakira!
♪ Whenever, Wherever… ♪
“Where Caribbean rum heritage meets Colombian gin.”
"Show me a bottle
and I'll tell you a story."